Delivered To Your INBOX

Salmonella Scare: Hundreds Sick In 18 States

A salmonella outbreak is responsible for 278 reported illnesses in 18 states. The outbreak is related to raw chicken processed by Foster Farms.

Earlier this year, 134 people in 13 states reported illness after consuming Foster Farms chicken. That salmonella outbreak was declared over in July. Officials say the latest incident is unrelated.

According to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, the latest incident involves plants located on the West Coast. Most of the chicken was processed in California.

As reported by NBC News, health officials linked the outbreak to Foster farms, but they have not identified a specific product or time of production. Products marked with P6137, P6137A, and P7632, may be involved. However, a recall has not been issued at this time.

The Food Safety and Inspections Service and CDC are working with Foster Farms to prevent further illness. As reported by CNN, the FSIS will regularly test the product for contamination before, during, and after processing.

Foster Farms will also implement strict food safety guidelines, which will be monitored by the FSIS until the outbreak is declared over.

Chicken is not the only product that contains the bacteria. In 2012, a peanut butter salmonella outbreak was responsible for 42 illnesses in 20 states. The incident led to the recall of 250 products, including several used in the National School Lunch program.

The outbreak was traced to Sunland Inc. The New Mexico manufacturer is now being sued by their insurer. Great American Alliance Insurance Co. claims the plant was responsible for the illnesses.

Prior to the peanut butter salmonella outbreak, the plant was found to have poor food safety practices, inadequate storage procedures, and outdated equipment. As reported by Food Poisoning Bulletin, Inspectors also noted the presence of pests and bacteria inside the plant.

The peanut butter outbreak was declared over. However, the chicken salmonella outbreak is still ongoing and under investigation.